The Healing Power of Nudity
Some studies say 90% of the men and women don’t like their bodies. Why do so many people not like their bodies? Let’s do something about it – let’s get naked. Could it be that so many people don’t like their bodies because of the discrepancy between our bodies and media images? And could it also be that so many people don’t like their bodies because they don’t spend time naked?
Nakedness is one of the most powerful healing experiences you can have if you have a poor body image. It’s so liberating… everybody should be naked sometimes in an appropriate context. We wear so many clothes, and hide so many beautiful parts of the body… unfortunately this is necessary in a fallen world… but we don’t want to end up in the position where we’re afraid to take off our clothes because maybe, maybe someone’s going to see us for real. But nakedness for real is a very healing experience. Show those parts that really bother you, to people that really care about you, that love you.
We all have different views about where and how this would be appropriate. You can go to the sauna. Or skinny dip with friends of the same gender. Or don’t be in a rush to cover up after a shower in the change room at the gym. The MH poll on nudity showed that a percentage of readers are in favour of going to a nude beach. Pray for wisdom on this and never go against your conscience. There’s also the idea of ‘private public nudity.’ Like, hiking nude in the wilderness well away from people. Or skinny dipping at the beach when there’s no one around. Become confident in your body.
We can help our children in this area too. I know of parents who deliberately don’t get dressed too quickly after a shower… or say a daughter comes into mom’s bedroom… and mom stays nude (if she is) while they discuss something, instead of rushing to cover up. This builds confidence in our children – our bodies aren’t something to be ashamed of. I also know moms who will occasionally and deliberately be nude in front of their teenage boys to help their sons get a realistic and positive view of a woman’s body. We need wisdom here. It’d be great to hear what MH parents do in this area of building a positive body image in their children.
And especially go somewhere where you can show yourself in bright sunlight to your spouse. All of these things that we hide are the best things! We know Christ has set us free from shame… this is one aspect of that. And we have to take the focus away from being an ideal. We can feel screwed up in a tiny body – a skinny body… and we can feel screwed up in a big body. What matters is that God views us as his children, and he has dealt with our shame.
And let’s do things that help us feel good about our bodies. What do you feed your body? – that’s important to think about, ‘cos that will help you love your body more. It’s not that important to have a perfect body. But it is important to have a healthy body. Have a healthy body because Jesus has died to save our bodies – they matter to him. For me this means doing as much sport as I can… incorporate any kind of exercise in my life. And I try to eat as healthy as possible. I drink a lot of water. Eat salads, fresh fruit and vege. If you eat alive foods you’re going to feel alive. If you eat dead foods you’re going to feel dead.
And spend time being naked. It will liberate your own body image. Sleep naked. Spend time around the house naked. Expose yourself often in bright light to the person you most adore… your spouse. I encourage you – just become more naked. Look at the body of your spouse – appreciate every part and tell your spouse what you don’t like about your body… only to find from him or her that… ‘What the heck, I don’t see that as a flaw – I love that about you.’ It’s very healing. Try it – be naked as often as you can. And, of course, this will greatly enhance your sex life.
Amen! And love the part where you say "if you eat alive foods you're going o feel alive" I completely agree! ??
I think all that is great. But, sorry, I think the "mom nude in front of their teenage son" thing is too much. Most sons are going to be horrified by that – and if they aren't, and become aroused, that is VERY confusing for them. It seems extreme and crosses basic modesty, which we are also called to. But as for the rest, yes, all for it!
I agree that you should not show shame and panic if you are accidentally caught naked or in the action of making love to your spouse, but you should cover yourself or ask them to wait outside the room for a moment while you put something on. They need not confuse their on emotional desires or feelings.
I think the mother involved said it was helpful for her sons. They were neither horrified nor aroused. It just helped them form a positive and realistic view of women's bodies. As to modesty… don't forget biblical cultures experienced a lot more public nudity. As far as we know families bathed in the river together nude or at local Roman baths. Many didn't have private bathrooms in their homes like we do today. It's often hard for us to see the bible through the cultural lens of biblical days. Biblical times as far as I can see, were more similar to Sweden last century. Sweden was very Christian yet people were nude socially at the local sauna. I understand that that was just their culture. I have a post scheduled about all this… about the bible's view of nudity and modesty. I think there is a lot to think through here. We do live in a fallen world so we do need to think carefully about this, but we also need to challenge our cultural assumptions.
I fully agree with your comment. I think that has Christians we need to get over our hang ups about nudity. The Lord sure had no problems with this when he asked the prophet Isaiah to preach naked for three years. (Isaiah 20:1-4).
Yeah, I really love nudity. One barrier is that so many Christians have a view that it's sinful. For me that means I have to be careful and respectful of others.
I remember the impact an adult woman had on me when I was a teenager. We were changing after swimming at a local school pool. She was confident and didn't try to hide her body. Seeing a woman's body that had given birth to three children (softer, rounder, darker nipples) gave me a visual image that allowed me to understand my body would change over time and to accept those changes. My mom was confident in her body and didn't hide herself if I happened to walk in or come into the bathroom when she was naked, which also helped me feel confident as my body has aged and gone through changes. Now that my husband and I are alone at home (our children are gone), I often walk around the house naked after getting out of the bath. I still want to hold my stomach in, but I continue trying to accept my body and remember my husband doesn't see the flaws I think he sees. He just sees ME and loves every glimpse!
My wife recently admitted to me that she doesn't feel confident with her body (even though she has a great figure). She would have a hard time going to a nude beach, per se, and it's not about "others" but just her own inhabitions. And interestingly enough, she pin-pointed that it was her lack of seeing other naked women as a teen and young adult that she thinks contributed the most. I have a much worse figure (compared to other men my age), and yet I'm much more comfortable in my own skin, and would feel at ease at a nude beach. And thinking back, I spend more time in men's gyms and locker rooms as a grade-schooler and teen, and got used to seeing other naked men. So I think this post is right on the money. And being confident with nudity can help the next generation!
My wife has also had a fair bit of shame about her body. We are trying to spend more time nude together and I can see that she is gradually getting more and more confident. It's great to see this. Praise God.
I personally have no problems being naked. I love my body, yes even my little imperfections. I am confident in my looks and have no problems being naked in front of my friends. However, I am not sure about the nude beach scene. There is something still a little creepy about it to me. Besides, Trey would never go for it. Later my MH friends!
Love your positive view on nudity, are you comfortable being naked in front of both male and female friends?
I am comfortable but cautious. We tend to seek places away from others. It depends on what we feel is appropriate.
Good on you, Alicia! Glad to see you're comfortable in your own skin! I love being naked too! I can go a whole day walking around the house naked easy! It's the most comfortable state to be in, in my opinion. And hubby's not complaining! 🙂
Did you find that most people were fully shaved or ungroomed?
We find secluded places away from others.
After reading this, I agreed with everything except the mother being nude in front of her teenage sons. I then read the comments and I agree that biblical times were different culturally. I guess that if children are brought up seeing their parents nude then they would think nothing of it. I also know that as a child and teenager I NEVER saw my parents in the buff. I also didn't play organized sports that often so the locker room situation was awkward for me. By the time I was a young teenager my hormones were raging and I would search for any type of nudity I could find. I can see how nudity around trusted friends could be beneficial. I also know that my wife isn't happy with her body but I truly enjoy seeing her naked even though it normally doesn't last long. In the last year or so that we have been reading MH stories her confidence has gotten much better but she is still far from nude beaches or nude hiking. It doesn't change the fact that I think she is beautiful and long to see her naked body any chance I get!
Yeah, it's so great to see my wife grow in confidence. There's something so beautiful when she Is in a place of being comfortable being naked for extended periods. And so special for me… just a great joy… especially out in the beauty of God's creation.
I agree with everything you said apart from the nudity in front of children. Not only is it innapproriate, it's not biblical. When we talk about issues we should always compare it with the word.
In Genesis 9:20-25, Noah accidentally reveals his nakedness when he was drunk: “One day he drank some wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked and went outside and told his brothers. Then Shem and Japheth took a robe, held it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent to cover their father. As they did this, they looked the other way so they would not see him naked. When Noah woke up from his stupor, he learned what Ham, his youngest son, had done. Then he cursed Canaan, the son of Ham: “May Canaan be cursed! May he be the lowest of servants to his relatives.” Then Noah said, “May the LORD, the God of Shem, be blessed, and may Canaan be his servant!”
Genesis 9:21-26 NLT
There's a reason Shem and Japheth looked the other way when their father was naked and the bible notes it as the reason they were blessed. Nakedness is useful but the bible implies that there are people who you should not see naked-parents. There are other ways to instilling self worth and positive body image. But nakedness in front of grown children-which can lead to a plethora of other spiritual and physical issues-is wrong and is stated as such in the Word.
There's a reason why Noah cursed his son for
Thanks for this. I don't think we can interpret that Noah passage that way. I don't have time here to go into this but most things I've read on this incident say this is about some sexual activity that went on not simple nudity. I have a post coming with more info. It's worth reading the commentaries. Don't forget God commanded Isaiah to be naked for 3 years among all Israel. How could God do this if it was wrong?
PS. The Noah incident is same gender- the issue just can't be a son seeing a naked father. Whoa, is God really a God who curses people and generations for something like that?
I LOVE being nude. It feels wonderful. I sleep nude (feels awesome), stay nude all morning until I have to get dressed. I would LOVE to have a home where I had freedom to be nude outside (neighbors could not see me). My kids are grown and gone, so it is easy to do this. Anyway, I greatly appreciated the article.
hotleggyamy, please tell me more. My hubby wants me so very badly to be a nudist once we are empty nesters. He wants me naked all the time. Haha. And I'm warming up to the idea. (he also wants us to go to a nude beach and/or resort). I love that he loves my body so much. It's me that doesn't. I'm a full-figured woman with all that leftover flab from 4 pregnancies. I have very poor body image (comes from a lifetime of negative comments). What's it like being naked in front of others… like your brothers-in-law, for example? Do your sisters and sisters-in-law all have different body types? Any "plus size" (Hubby really hates that term) women among you? Are the women with small tits just as comfortable as the women with large ones? What about boobs that are two different sizes? (mine are asymmetrical). Are men with small cocks just as comfortable/confident as those with large ones? I'm assuming you've all seen all the men with hard-ons, right? Can't say I'd mind that! ?haha. I'm also assuming from your initial post that you all are completely comfortable with your sexuality too? I know that there are many on MH that like to watch others have sex or masturbate ( I totally get the turn on!! I happen to find female masturbation really hot!!). Have you ever seen anyone in the family masturbating or having sex with their spouse? Oh, one more question: Do y'all shave your pussies bald? Do the men shave themselves bald too? Hubby and I are baldies and absolutely LOVE it!!! Love the look and feel! Anyway sorry for all the questions!! Like I said, my hubby has been talking about it for years and I'm warming up to the idea. I don't know any nudists personally so I have no one else to ask. But I am intrigued for sure! I totally get the whole "freedom" thing…and it being so comfortable and relaxing. My husband thinks it would help me greatly with my self esteem/body image and my self confidence. He wants me to love my body as much as he does! Anyway, I would love to hear more from you!!! Thanks hotleggyamy!
Chloe, I’m so happy you are interested in nudism! It’s a wonderful lifestyle. I think your hubby’s wanting you to be naked all the time is fantastic. Going to a nude beach and resort would be a great way to ease yourself into the lifestyle. There are lots of places you could go in the US. Visit the American Association for Nude Recreation website. Once you get the hang of it, you might want to take a trip to somewhere a little more exotic, like Desire. Yes, you’ll probably run across some swingers there but, in our experience, they are unfailingly polite and you just have to say no if you don’t want to do something.
There’s no shame in being full-figured! I know lots of ff women who are super sexy—as I’m pretty sure you are. 😉 And although I’m medium build, I have a mummy tummy—and hubby loves it. I can still wear a bikini when I have to and look damn good, but there’s a little droopy bit. So what!? Hubby loves kissing my tummy as he makes his way to my puss (yes, I am completely bald—hubby paid for me to be lasered several years ago as a gift—and most of the other women in our family are, too. Some of them will sport a landing strip or even a heart above their pussy from time to time, but otherwise smooth.) and hubby loves cumming all over my tummy, too!
We have lots of different body types in our family: tall, built young guys to older sagging guys; girls with sexy little mosquito-bite tits and one proper BBW, who is just GORGEOUS!! Her tits are amazing (and I think all women have some degree of asymmetry in that department). […] You have to remember that sexy is in your mind. Your brain is your biggest sex organ. If you feel sexy, you’ll look sexy and act sexy. I’ve seen young studs drooling over women in their 70s at nudist resorts because the women had such a hot, confident attitude.
And yep, I’ve seen all the men with hard-ons. :)) What’s not to like about that? And, yes, like the women, almost all of them are bald, too. They know it makes their package look bigger. Some of them put oil and glycerin on their cocks to make them really shiny just to make sure they catch attention LOL. And several of them wear cock rings. Not too tight, but enough to keep them beautifully semi-hard.
And sure, most every one of us has seen each other either masturbating or having sex. You know boys. They’re just non-stop sex machines that continually need to get their rocks off. I love watching them shoot their cum. Sometimes they have contests to see who can shoot the furthest! Boys!! But, yeah, I get really hot watching other women masturbate. Sometimes in the afternoon sun, someone at the cottage will get horny and start a lazy diddle, run-in her fingers between her pussy lips and flicking her clit. […]
Anyway, now I’m so worked up I need to find hubby and his cock. I need to get stuffed!!
Thanks to MH for posting but editing my reply to Chloe. That was kind of you. ?
Chloe, the answer is yes to everything you asked but is not directly answered in my reply. ?
And, yes, hubby made me feel really really good yesterday after I posted my reply.?
Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time to write so much, hotleggyamy! I'm really wishing that MH hadn't shortened your response, as I think there was some really good stuff that got cut out! My mom was a real prude when we were growing up. We couldn't even walk around braless! As you can well imagine…I've never seen my mom naked…or either of my sisters! And I shared a room with my sister (my unidentical twin) all my life (right up until my marriage) too!! I have no idea if they shave their pussies bald (like I do), have a landing strip, or are full bush. I have no idea if my mom is bald or bush either. Also don't know if any of them masturbate, love sex, and cum a lot (like I do). I envy your family. So cool to be that open, honest, and comfortable! Have to admit…I got really turned on at your admission that you've all seen each other masturbating and having sex. I'm assuming that means orgasming too? Even your mom? (I can't imagine my mom even masturbating, let alone actually catching her going at it.) That's wonderful to be that open and relaxed about something as natural as nudity and sexuality. Wish I had that kind of relationship with my mom and sisters. Please feel free to share more. Would love to hear more from you! Thanks so much again!!! Much love to you! ?
P.S. Aren't bald pussies and cocks simply delightful?! Love being bald!!
Oh, and glad your hubby gave you a good time yesterday! LOL
[From MH: Ladies, while we value open communication, the focus of this site is hot Biblical monogamy. When discussions veer into the realm of soft swinging, even with family members in a nudist family, they get truncated or not published. We have to assume there are other places online where you can discuss matters not in keeping with the spirit and guidelines of MH.]
Thank you MH. We’re trying. Our enthusiasm, you know ?
Sweet Chloe, MH doesn’t facilitate contact between members, but it’s pretty easy to guess my address.
Songs of the believers is a good site for open and honest dialogue. It was started by people from this site I believe that wanted to be able to converse with others and have discussions on marriage and sex. It's a great site. Hopefully it was ok for me to drop this here MH. If not feel free to take it down. 🙂
We wholeheartedly recommend SotB.
It would be great to exchange gmail addresses. But I guess MH has some reason why we can not. I can see not being required to. But not doing it voluntarily?
Second marge, if you register on Songs of the believers you can chat on their! Would love to chat sometime!
I'm intrigued to hear more about nudity around kids. We haven't really avoided it yet as our kids are still very young but I'm not sure how it works as they grow older.
TexasWife, we practiced nudity in the home from an early age. We just made sure to say that it was just for inside the house and our high fenced backyard. It was so normal to them that they never gave it a second thought. It took the allure of the forbidden away from it. Now that they are grown, they have also said that porn has not really been a temptation because what’s the big deal of seeing someone without clothes? We did tell them as they grew about strangers and no touch areas, and that this is a private family tradition. The times we had other likeminded families over, it was a very freeing and non-sexual experience. We wanted sexuality in there minds tied to depth of relationship and an outflow of marital love, rather than naked = sex. It seemed to work well. (And laundry was cheaper)
Hope that helps!
Wow that's great. Are y'all all still nude when together now that they are grown? I think the fact that they don't struggle with porn is a great testimony for natural nudity. What about friends or other family? How did y'all approach that? We have one couple that we have been nude with but not with the rest of our friends and family.
It must be easier if the kids grow up in a nudist family. I have met a couple families and the kids seem to just take it as nothing special. But they still notice body parts. We started it when our son was in those teen years leading to some awkward moments but we all adjusted pretty quickly.
Second marge, that's really neat. I think we're getting more convinced that this is doable. What about your friends that aren't nudists do you get dressed for them? also, are y'all nude all the time at home?
SecondMarge: In reference to your statement that you (your family) had started nude practice while your son is in those teen years, how did you overcome the awkwardness between you and your son at first? I can't imagine what it would be like to be nude around my family, in particular around my mom, as I recently turned 19. I admire your bold move to practice the freedom that is bestowed upon us by our Heavenly Father. Looking forward to hear more from you on this. Stay horny God bless.